Toyota’s Previa Minivan Could See a Return as a Plug-In

The Toyota Previa minivan, which was in production from 1990 to 1997, never reached top sales figures but certainly stood out with its unique, rounded design. Now, Toyota plans to bring it back.

According to Forbes, the company intends to launch a new version of the Previa in 2026, with both plug-in hybrid and pure electric options. The new Previa won’t be based on the e-TNGA platform that powers the bZ4X and Lexus RZ EVs. Instead, it will use the TNGA-K platform shared with models like the Crown and Sienna, Toyota’s current minivan offering in the U.S.

The new Previa could live alongside the Sienna, which is likely to remain a more traditional, non-plug-in hybrid minivan. Toyota is making the move to the TNGA-K platform so it can offer a mix of powertrains.

This choice allows for a plug-in hybrid option, which would be a step up from the all-electric e-TNGA platform, which only supports pure electric vehicles. The plug-in hybrid Previa could borrow technology from the Prius Prime.

This model has a 2-liter engine paired with two electric motors, providing a combined output of 220 horsepower. The Prius Prime also has a 13.6 kWh battery that provides a 33-mile range. Since the Previa will be a larger vehicle, it could get a bigger battery to offer a better electric range.

The 18.1 kWh battery from the RAV4 Prime might be a good fit, as it gives that SUV an EPA range of 42 miles.

For the pure electric Previa, Toyota might adapt the technology from the bZ4X, which offers either a 201-horsepower front-wheel-drive setup or a 215-horsepower all-wheel-drive option. The bZ4X uses a 71.4 kWh battery with a range of 252 miles.

However, the Previa will likely be larger and heavier, so its range could be lower, probably around 200 miles or less on a single charge. Toyota has considered adding a fuel-cell version of the Previa, but has shelved the idea due to a drop in demand for this technology. Sales of Toyota’s fuel-cell vehicles dropped by almost 70% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

The new Previa will likely draw design inspiration from the original model, which was known for its bold, slanted nose and aerodynamic shape. The rounded look that made the Previa stand out in the 1990s could serve as the foundation for a retro-futuristic design, with a more modern twist. This could appeal to buyers today who are looking for something different but familiar.

Although the Previa was discontinued in the U.S. in 1997, it continued in other markets for a while, even getting a second generation in 2000. The second and third generations were less radical in design, losing some of the first model’s uniqueness but still remaining distinctive.

The Previa was in production until 2019, and Toyota will likely keep the same focus on aerodynamics for the new model, which makes more sense today with the rising popularity of streamlined vehicles.

Toyota has already used this approach to make vehicles like the Prius, and they will probably apply the same thinking to the upcoming Previa. If the 2026 Previa can capture the spirit of the original while offering modern features like hybrid and electric options, it could attract a new generation of buyers.

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